Preparation begins for Civil Engineering Lab with Wiltshire South Wing demolition

Preparation for the University’s new Civil Engineering Lab (CELab) is progressing, with demolition of the south wing of the Wiltshire Building on Wiltshire Street scheduled to take place later this month.

The demolition is the next milestone in preparing the site for the University's new Civil Engineering Lab, a key project under the University’s ambitious Estates Masterplan.

Expected to open in Autumn 2028, the purpose-built facility will bring together specialist civil engineering facilities currently spread across several University buildings into one modern, dedicated space. It will support teaching, research and industry collaboration and includes specialist Concrete, Structures and Geotechnics labs. 

The building has also been designed with a range of sustainable features and is aiming for an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM UK rating, one of the highest levels of recognition under the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for buildings.

These features will include a blue-green roof, designed to slow the discharge of rainwater while introducing plants and biodiversity, alongside solar panels and air source heat pumps to help reduce the building’s energy consumption and environmental impact.

The new facility will provide a more efficient, flexible environment for practical teaching, testing and research, while creating greater opportunities for collaboration between students, researchers and industry partners.

The new Civil Engineering Lab will be constructed on the site of the Wiltshire Building’s south wing and former car park on Wiltshire Street. The car park is currently being used as the contractor compound for the ongoing Wiltshire Building refurbishment, with construction of CELab expected to commence once these works are complete.